Name meaning & stats
Yelena
Yelena means “precious, or rock (debated)” (Celtic origin). 1,626 US babies since 1940, peak 2022. Notable Yelenas are 1.4× over-represented as film directors.
What it means
“precious, or rock (debated)”
CelticSpelling of Ilana
Ilana around the world
- Илана · Russian
- Ілана · Ukrainian
- אילנה · Hebrew
- イラナ · Japanese
- 艾拉娜 · Chinese
- Illana
In US birth records
Peak year: 2022
1,626 US babies were named Yelena between 1940 and 2025.
Where Yelenas end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | 1.1× | Low · 5 people |
| Writer | 1.2× | Low · 4 people |
| Film director | 1.4× | Low · 3 people |
| Journalist | 1.1× | Low · 2 people |
Among notable women who are film directors, Yelenas show up 1.4× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
Other spellings
1 in 24 Ilianas spell it Yelena
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 2022)